After 10 years spent performing under the tough-to-market name Gary Gruesome and the Sweet
Fleet, the collegiate musicians of Hey Hercules adopted a mightier moniker.

Shifting, too, was their repertoire, with the quintet’s blues-tinged rock taking center stage in
lieu of its previous lineup of mostly cover songs.

Also on the upswing: the band’s calendar. A recent debut EP featuring a big studio name has
helped the players land more central Ohio gigs — including a headline Saturday booking in Kobo.

“We couldn’t get shows anywhere without a recording,” said guitarist Michael Falk, 22. “Now that
we have that, we’re trying to run with it.”

Q: How did your band form?

A: Three of us — Rob, Gabe and I — grew up together and have been playing music for as long as
we can remember.

We had the typical teenage classic-rock cover band going and gradually started dabbling in
songwriting. When college rolled around, we decided to form a serious band and found two other guys
that fit in really well.

A: Easy answer: the Beatles. In-depth answer: Depending on which member you ask, Leadbelly,
Prince, AC/DC, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Buck Owens. It honestly makes no sense — and we argue
about influences a lot — but somehow it works.